KR100674460B1 - Library apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to provide a library device that can continue the operation of the entire library device when a failure occurs in a part of the elements constituting the library device, and at the same time specify a failure point.

The library device 1 is configured with the redundant library controllers Lct1 and Lct2 and the redundant drive command paths P1 and P2, and the library controller side port of the library controller Lct1 is connected to the ports 14 and 15. By connecting to each of the redundant drive command paths P1 and P2, and the library controller side port of the library controller Lct2 by the ports 24 and 25, respectively, to duplicate each of the redundant drive command paths P1. And P2).

Description

Library device {LIBRARY APPARATUS}

1 is a first basic configuration diagram of a library device according to the present invention.

2 is a second basic configuration diagram of a library device according to the present invention;

3 is a block diagram of a first embodiment of a library device according to the present invention;

4 is an overall operation flowchart of the library device shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the subroutine S13 shown in FIG. 4. FIG.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of subroutine S14 shown in FIG. 4.

7 is a block diagram of a second embodiment of a library device according to the present invention;

FIG. 8 is an overall operation flowchart of the library device shown in FIG. 7. FIG.

9 is a flowchart of subroutine S42 shown in FIG. 8.

10 is a flowchart of subroutine S52 shown in FIG. 9;

11 is a flowchart of the subroutine S53 shown in FIG. 9.

12 is a basic configuration diagram of a conventional library device.

<Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

1: library device

Lct, Lct1, Lct2: Library Controller

Dct, Dct1, Dct2, Dctn: Drive Controller

P, P1, P2: Drive Command Path

PL1, PL2: Connect drive command path between Lcts

PD1, PD2: Dct Connect Drive Command Path

14, 15, 24, 25: Library controller side port

31, 32, 41, 42, 51, 52: drive controller side ports

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a library device for reading or writing data recorded on a recording medium such as a magnetic tape, a magnetic disk or a magneto-optical disk.

Because database systems and electronic filing systems must store vast amounts of data, these systems have recently been provided with a library device that receives a plurality of electronic data recording media and reads or writes the data recorded therein. ought. 12 shows a basic configuration diagram of a conventional library device.

The library device 1 includes a library controller Lct that controls the entire library device 1 in accordance with a control command from the host 2, and a storage medium drive device that is dependent on the control command from the library controller Lct. Drives connecting a plurality of drive controllers Dct1, Dct2 to Dctn for controlling (D11, D12, D21, D22 to Dn1, Dn2), the library controller Lct and the drive controllers Dct1, Dct2 to Dctn. It is comprised with the command path P. FIG.

The library controller Lct is connected to the drive command path P to transmit control commands from the library controller Lct to the drive controllers Dct1 to Dctn and to receive status information from the drive controllers Dct1 to Dctn. The library controller side port 14 is provided, and is connected to the drive command paths P to the drive controllers Dct1 and Dct2 to Dctn to transmit status information from the drive controller to the library controller Lct or from the library controller Lct. The drive controller side ports 31 and 41 to 51 which receive the control command are provided respectively.

The library controller Lct, which has received the read / write command of electronic data from the host 2, specifies a read / write point of the electronic data and selects a drive device which reads / writes the data from any of the drive devices D11 to Dn2. Determine from one. Then, a read / write command of the electronic data is transmitted to the drive controller controlling the determined drive device through the drive command path P. FIG.

The drive controller receiving the read / write command of the electronic data performs the read / write control of the electronic data with respect to the drive device determined by the library controller Lct.

At this time, if the command received through the drive command path P is a write command, the electronic data to be recorded is transmitted to the drive device through a drive path (not shown) connecting the host and each drive device. Are recorded. On the other hand, when the command received through the drive command path P is a read command, the electronic data read from the drive device is transmitted to the host 2 via the drive path (not shown).

[Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-115229

[Patent Document 2] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 6-251475

In the conventional library device 1, as illustrated, the library controller Lct, the drive controllers Dct1 and Dct2 to Dctn, the drive command path P, and the ports 14, 31, 41 to 51 are redundant. It was not. For this reason, when communication between the library controller Lct and the drive devices D11 to Dn2 is no longer possible, there is a problem that it is not possible to specify which of the devices present in the path is a failure.

In particular, since the library controller Lct, the drive command path P, and the library controller side port 14 are constituted by a single device, when a failure occurs in these places, not only the failure point can be specified, but also the library. There was a problem that the operation of the entire apparatus 1 could not be continued.

In addition, since the failure point cannot be identified in the library device 1 which is not redundant, there is a problem that it is uneconomical to replace the non-failure point in the early recovery.

The present invention has been devised in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a library device capable of continuing the operation of the entire library device in the event of a failure of a part of the elements constituting the library device.

Moreover, an object of this invention is to provide the library apparatus which can identify the fault location which generate | occur | produced in the one part.

In order to achieve the above object, the library device according to the present invention is configured by duplexing the library controller side port connected to the library controller, the drive command path and the drive command path.

In this case, the drive command path may be redundant by being composed of a first drive command path and a second drive command path, and the library controller side port may be a library controller side first port and a library controller side second port provided for each redundant library controller. This configuration may be redundant, and the library controller side first port and the library controller side second port may be connected to the first drive command path and the second drive command path, respectively.

In addition, the library device according to the present invention may include a failure point determination unit that determines a failure point occurring in any one of the library controller, the drive command path, and the library controller port.

Furthermore, in the library device according to the present invention, the drive controller side port connected to the drive command path is duplicated by being composed of a drive controller side first port and a library controller side second port provided for each of at least one drive controller, The drive controller side first port is connected in parallel to the first drive command path and the drive controller side second port is connected in parallel to the second drive command path.

In this case, the library device according to the present invention may include a failure point determination unit that determines a failure point occurring in any one of a library controller, a drive controller, a drive command path, a library controller side port, and a drive controller side port.

In the library device according to the present invention, the library controller and the drive controller may each include a communication unit that communicates with each other through a drive command path, and the failure point determination unit generates an error when communication occurs by the communication unit. The occurrence of a failure may be detected.

Hereinafter, the basic structure of the library device according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

The library device 1 depends on the library controllers Lct1 and Lct2 for controlling the entire library device 1 in accordance with the control command from the host 2 and the control commands from the library controllers Lct1 and Lct2. A drive controller Dct for controlling the storage medium drive devices D1 and D2, and drive command paths P1 and P2 for connecting the library controllers Lct1 and Lct2 to the drive controller Dct. .

The library controllers Lct1 and Lct2 are configured to have a first library controller Lct1 and a second library controller Lct2 having the same function for redundancy, and the other when the one is in an operating state (active state). It is configured redundantly so that the side is in the standby state (standby state). If one of the controllers in the operating state first fails, the other controller in the standby state moves to the operating state, and the failed controller moves to the standby state to continue the operation of the entire library device 1. It is possible.

The drive command paths P1 and P2 are also redundant by being constituted by the first drive command path P1 and the second drive command path P2 realized by the same signal line or the like, and one of them is in an operating state (active state). ) Is in the standby state (standby state).

In addition, the library controller side ports provided in these controllers for connecting the first and second library controllers Lct1 and Lct2 and the drive command paths P1 and P2, respectively, are also redundantly configured, and the first library controller Lct1 A library controller side first port 14 and a library controller side second port 15 are provided, and the second library controller Lct2 has a library controller side first port 24 and a library controller side second port 25. Is prepared.

The library controller side first ports 14 and 24 are connected in parallel to the first drive command path P1 by a first inter-Lct connection drive command path PL1, and the library controller side second ports 15 and 25 are connected. ) Is connected in parallel to the second drive command path P2 by a second inter-Lct connection drive command path PL2.

In addition, the drive controller side port provided in the drive controller Dct for connecting to the drive command paths P1 and P2 is also redundant by being composed of the drive controller side first port 31 and the drive controller side second port 32, The drive controller side first port 31 is connected to the first drive command path P1 and the drive controller side second port 32 is connected to the second drive command path P2.

The library controller on the side of the first and second library controllers Lct1 and Lct2 in the operating state (active) is hereinafter referred to as the first library controller Lct1 in the operating state. And when the response of communication with D2) does not return within a predetermined time, it is possible to detect that a failure has occurred at any one position along the path from the first library controller Lct1 to the drive devices D1 and D2.

Alternatively, the library controller Lct1 is provided in the library controller Lct1 and the drive controller Dct to communicate with each other through the drive command paths P1 or P2, and when an error occurs in communication between them. May detect that a failure has occurred at any one of the paths from the first library controller Lct1 to the drive controller Dct.

The library controller Lct1 cannot communicate with the drive units D1 and D2 even when the library controller side port (referred to as the first port 14) currently being used (or the library controller Lct1 and the drive controller ( The communication units provided in Dct) cannot communicate with each other, and are also identical to the waiting library controller side ports (called second ports 15) and the library controller side ports 14 currently in use of the same library controller Lct1. If any of the ports of the library controller side ports 24 provided in the library controller Lct2 that are connected to the drive command path (first drive command path P1) and waiting for use is available, the library currently in use can be used. It is determined that the controller-side port 14 is a failure point, and the drive command path used is the second drive command. The operation of the library device 1 is continued by switching to the path P2.

In addition, the library controller Lct1 cannot communicate with the drive devices D1 and D2 even when the library controller side port 14 currently being used is used (or communication unit provided in the library controller Lct1 and the drive controller Dct). Cannot communicate with each other, and is connected to the same drive command path (first drive command path P1) as that of the library controller side port 14, and the library controller side port 24 provided in the library controller Lct2 that is waiting. If the above communication is not possible even when using the above, it is determined that the drive command path P1 currently being used is a failure point and the operation of the library device 1 is changed by switching the drive command path used to the second drive command path P2. Continue.

Further, the library controller Lct1 cannot communicate with the drive devices D1 and D2 even when using any one of its first and second library controller side ports 14 and 15 (or the library controller Lct1). ) And the communication unit provided in the drive controller (Dct) cannot communicate with each other.] If the above communication is enabled by using the library controller (Lct2) in the standby state, the library controller (Lct1) itself is determined to be a failure point and used. The operation of the library device 1 is continued by switching the library controller to the library controller Lct2.

In this way, by configuring the library controller, the drive command path, and the library controller side ports connected to the drive command path of the library device 1 in a redundant manner, a failure point generated between the library controller and the drive command path is specified, and when a failure occurs. In addition, the operation of the library device 1 can be continued.

2 is another basic configuration of the library device according to the present invention.

The library device shown in FIG. 2 includes a plurality of drive controllers Dct1, Dct2 to Dctn for controlling the storage medium drive devices D11, D12, D21, D22 to Dn1, and Dn2.

Here, the drive controller and the storage medium drive device may be multiplexed into a plurality of drive controllers Dct1 to Dctn and a plurality of storage medium drive devices D11 to Dn2, respectively, or different storage areas are allocated to the drive devices D11 to Dn2. The plurality of drive controllers Dct1 to Dctn and the plurality of storage medium drive devices D11 to Dn2 may have a cost-effective configuration.

Here, even when the drive controllers Dct1 to Dctn and the storage medium drive devices D11 to Dn2 are used in a cost-effective configuration, they have a configuration in which a plurality of devices of the same type are connected in parallel. Even if (for example, Dct1 has failed), other parts (for example, Dct2 to Dctn) can be used to continue the operation of the entire library device 1, and to specify the failure point by specifying the remaining parts that can be used. It is also possible.

In addition, the first drive ports 31 and 41 to 51 of the drive controllers Dct1 to Dctn are connected in parallel to the first drive command path P1 by the first inter-ct connection drive command path PD1. Then, the drive controller side second ports 32, 42 to 52 are connected in parallel to the second drive command path P2 by a second inter-ct connection drive command path PD2.

Therefore, in the library device 1 according to the present invention, the library controller, the drive command path, the library controller side port, and the drive controller side port, which are configured as a single device in the conventional library device, are configured in a dual system.

Accordingly, it is desirable to configure all the components (library controller, drive command path and library controller side port, drive controller, drive controller side port, storage medium drive device) included in the library device 1 with a plurality of elements connected in parallel. It becomes possible and it is possible to specify the fault point which occurred in any one of all these components.

That is, when a failure occurs between the library controller and the drive command path, it is possible to specify the failure point by the method described with reference to FIG.

For example, when a failure occurs in the drive controller side port (for example, the port 31) in which the drive controller Dct1 is operating, the library controller Lct1 uses the drive command path P1 currently being used. Drive that can communicate with a storage medium drive device controlled by other Dct2 to Dctn (or can communicate with other Dct2 to Dctn), and also drive dependent on the drive controller Dct1 by switching the drive command path to P2. When it is possible to communicate with (11) and the drive 12 (or communicate with Dct1), the drive controller side port 31 can be determined to be a failure. In this case, the operation of the library device 1 is continued by switching the drive command path to be used to the second drive command path P2.

When a failure occurs in the drive controller (e.g., Dct1), the library controller Lct1 communicates with a storage medium drive device controlled by other Dct2 to Dctn using the drive command path P1 currently being used. (Or can communicate with other Dct2 to Dctn), and can not communicate with the drive 11 and drive 12 dependent on the drive controller Dct1 even if the drive command path is switched to P2 ( Or, when it is impossible to communicate with Dct1, it is determined that the drive controller Dct1 is broken.

If the drive controller is not redundantly configured, the library controller Lct1 prohibits access to the storage medium drive devices 11 and 12 that are dependent on the drive controller Dct1.

In addition, when a failure occurs in the storage medium drive device (e.g., D11), the library controller Lct1 is controlled by other Dct2 to Dctn using the drive command path P1 currently being used. Storage device drive device in the case where communication can be made with (or with other Dct2 to Dctn) and with another storage medium drive device D12 that is dependent on the same drive controller Dct1. It is determined that the failure of (D11).

EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Hereinafter, preferred embodiment of the library apparatus which concerns on this invention according to an accompanying drawing is described in detail. 3 is a configuration diagram of a first embodiment of a library device according to the present invention.

The library device 1 is provided from the first library controller Lct1 and the second library controller Lct2 and the library controllers Lct1 and Lct2 that control the entire library device 1 in accordance with a control command from the host 2. A plurality of drive controllers Dct1, Dct2 to Dctn for controlling the dependent storage medium drive devices D11, D12, D21, D22 to Dn1, Dn2, respectively, and the library controller Lct1 and A first drive command path P1 and a second drive command path P2 for connecting Lct2 and the drive controllers Dct1 to Dctn are configured.

The first library controller Lct1 executes each program or execution of this program that defines the MPU 10 for executing various processes for controlling the entire library device 1 and the processing executed by the MPU 10. Connected to the data bus 12 of the MPU 10 and the storage unit 11 realized by a memory device for storing necessary work data and the like, and controlling from the library controller Lct1 to the drive controllers Dct1 to Dctn. And first and second library controller side ports 14 and 15 for transmitting commands and receiving status information from the drive controller.

The storage section 11 stores therein a failure point determination software 13 for determining a failure point in the library device 1 according to a flowchart described later by the MPU 10 of the first library controller Lct1. .

The second library controller Lct2 has the same configuration as the first library controller Lct1, and these Lct1 and Lct2 are in standby state (standby state) when one of them is in an operating state (active state). If one controller in the operating state fails, the other controller in the standby state moves to the operating state, and the failed controller moves to the standby state to form a dual system.

A communication line 3 between library controllers is provided between the first library controller Lct1 and the second library controller Lct2. The communication line 3 between the library controllers is used to notify the other library controller whether one of these library controllers Lct1 and Lct2 is in an operating state or a standby state, as described later, or the other library controller. Is used to inquire from the other library controller whether commands can be sent and received to or from the storage medium drive devices D11 to Dn2, or whether one library controller can communicate with the drive controllers Dct1 to Dctn.

The drive command paths P1 and P2 are also duplicated by being composed of the first drive command path P1 and the second drive command path P2 realized by the same signal line or the like. Further, the library controller side port provided in the first library controller Lct1 is also duplicated by the first and second library controller side ports 14 and 15 realized by the same communication interface circuit, and similarly, the second library controller The library controller side port provided in (Lct2) is also duplicated by the first and second library controller side ports 24 and 25.

The library controller side first ports 14 and 24 are connected in parallel to the first drive command path P1, and the library controller side second ports 15 and 25 are parallel to the second drive command path P2. Connected. At this time, the library controller side first port 24 of the second library controller is parallel to the library controller side first port 14 in the first drive command path P1 via the first Lct-connected drive command path PL1. The library controller side second port 25 of the second library controller is connected to the second drive command path P2 via the second Lct-connected drive command path PL2 to the library controller side second port 15. Is connected in parallel with

The drive controller side ports provided in the drive controllers Dct1 to Dctn are also redundantly configured.

That is, the port of the drive controller Dct1 is duplicated by being composed of the drive controller side first port 31 and the drive controller side second port 32, and the port of the drive controller Dct2 is the drive controller side first port ( 41) and the drive controller side second port 42, which is redundant. The port of the drive controller Dctn is duplicated by being composed of the drive controller side first port 51 and the drive controller side second port 52. .

The drive controller side first ports 31 to 51 are connected in parallel to the first drive command path P1, and the drive controller side second ports 32 to 52 are connected in parallel to the second drive command path P2. do.

At this time, the first ports 41 to 51 of the drive controllers Dct2 to Dctn are connected to the first drive command path P1 via the first Dct-connected drive command path PD1 to drive controllers Dct2 to Dctn. The second ports 42 to 52 are connected to the second drive command path P2 via the second inter-ct connection drive command path PD2.

4 to 6 are flowcharts of the failure point detection operation by the library device 1 according to the present invention. The failure point detection operation is performed by the MPU 10 (or MPU 20 in the second library controller Lct2) in the first library controller Lct1 stored in the storage unit 11 (21). It is executed by operating in accordance with the judgment software 13 [23].

In the following description, the library controller having a dual system, the drive command path, the library controller side port, and the drive controller side port are the first library controller Lct1, the first drive command path P1, and the library controller side agent, respectively. The first port 14, the drive controller side first port 31 are in an operating state, the second library controller Lct2, the second drive command path P2, the library controller side second ports 15 and 25, It is assumed that the library controller side first port 24 and the drive controller side second port 32 are in a standby state.

In step S11 shown in Fig. 4, the library controller Lct1 transmits and receives commands at a predetermined interval (e.g., once / sec) between a specific storage medium drive (e.g., D11) and responds within a predetermined time. If this does not return, the occurrence of a failure between the library controller Lct1 to the storage medium drive D11 is detected.

Next, in step S12, the library controller Lct1 stores the storage medium drives D21 to Dn1 belonging to any one of the other drive controllers Dct2 to Dctn via the first drive command path P1 which is the drive command path currently being used. Attempt to send / receive commands with

As a result, if the commands can be transmitted and received to and from these drives D21 to Dn1, the library controller Lct1 fails at any one of the drive D11, the drive controller Dct1, or the drive controller side first port 31. It judges that it has occurred and the process proceeds to the routine S13 shown in FIG.

On the contrary, if commands cannot be transmitted / received with all of these drives D21 to Dn1, the library controller Lct1 fails in either of Lct1 itself, the first port 14 on the library controller side, or the first drive command path P1. It is determined that this has occurred, and the process proceeds to the routine S14 shown in FIG.

As a result of the determination by step S12, when the processing moves to the routine S13 shown in FIG. 5, in step S21, the library controller Lct1 commands the other drive D12 of the drive controller Dct1 that controls the drive D11. To transmit and receive. At this time, if it is possible to send and receive commands to and from another drive D12, the library controller Lct1 specifies that the failure point is the drive D11 in step S22, and in step S23 the drive (s) until replacement and repair is performed later. The use of D11) is prohibited to complete the processing.

On the other hand, if the command cannot be transmitted or received with the other drive D12, the library controller Lct1 attempts to transmit or receive the command with the drive D11 via the second drive command path P2 that is waiting in step S24.

If transmission and reception of the command with the drive D11 are possible through the second drive command path P2, the library controller Lct1 determines that the first port 31 of the drive controller side has failed in step S25, and in step S26. The operation of the library device 1 is continued by switching the second drive command path P2 to the operating state and the first drive command path P1 to the standby state.

If the command cannot be transmitted or received to or from the drive D11 via the second drive command path P2, the library controller Lct1 determines that the first drive controller Dct1 has failed in step S27, and in step S28 The use of the drives D11 and D12 subordinate to the first drive controller Dct1 is subsequently prohibited until the replacement and repair of the first drive controller Dct1 is performed.

As a result of the determination by step S12 in FIG. 4, when the processing moves to the routine S14 shown in FIG. 6, in step S31, the library controller Lct1 is in the second standby state 15 in the current standby state on the library controller Lct1 side. ), It is determined whether or not there is already recorded a failure state (to be described later in step S37).

If the second port 15 is already in a fault state, the library controller Lct1 can access the drive devices D11 to Dn2 even if either one of the first port 14 and the second port 15 is used. Since it is not possible, the library controller Lct1 judges itself as having failed in step S32, puts the library controller Lct1 in the standby state in step S33, puts the library controller Lct2 into the operating state, and then turns the library controller Lct2 on. The operation of the library device 1 is continued.

In addition, in the method of switching the system used from the library controller Lct1 to the library controller Lct2, for example, in the step S31, the first library controller Lct1, which has determined that both the first and second ports are not available, voluntarily waits. It may be configured to transmit a command for transitioning the second library controller Lct2 to an operating state through the communication line 3 between the library controllers.

Alternatively, a first Lct switching means for switching the system used between the library controllers Lct1 and Lct2 is provided in the library device 1 (not shown) to determine that the first and second ports are unavailable. 1 The library controller Lct1 may notify the use Lct switching means of this effect, and the use Lct switching means may be configured to switch the system used from the library controller Lct1 to the library controller Lct2.

If it is determined in step S31 that the second port 15 of the first library controller Lct1 is not in a malfunction, the first library controller Lct1 drives the second library controller Lct2 on the other side in step S34. It is inquired through the communication line 3 between library controllers whether the command can be transmitted / received with any of the drive apparatuses D11 to Dn2 via the command path P1.

As a result, if it is not possible to transmit / receive commands with all of the drive devices D11 to Dn2 even by the other second library controller Lct2, it is determined that the first drive command path P1 has failed in step S35. Then, the drive command path used in step S38 is switched from the current first drive command path P1 to the waiting second drive command path P2 to end the process.

At this time, for example, commands can be transmitted and received with the drives D11 or D12 subordinate to the drive controller Dct1, but commands can be transmitted and received with the drives D21 to Dn2 subordinate to the drive controllers Dct2 to Dctn. If not, there is a possibility that the inter-Dct connection drive command path PD1 or PD2 connecting between the drive controller Dct1 and the drive controller Dct2 is broken. In this case, the inter-Dct connected drive command path (PD1 or PD2) is confirmed by switching the drive command path to a waiting drive command path to confirm that commands are transmitted / received with the drives D21 to Dn2 subordinate to Dct2 to Dctn. May be detected.

On the other hand, when it is possible to transmit / receive commands to any one of the drive devices D11 to Dn2 by the other second library controller Lct2 in step S34, the first library controller Lct1 in step S36. It is determined that the first port 14 of the first port 14 has failed. In step S37, the memory unit 11 records that the first port 14 has failed. Then, the drive command path to be used is replaced with the current first drive command path ( The process ends by switching from P1 to the waiting second drive command path P2.

According to the structure of the library device 1 shown in FIG. 3, the library controller Lct1 transmits / receives commands to / from the storage medium drives D11 to Dn2, and the response does not return within a predetermined time. The occurrence of a failure between the library controller Lct1 to the storage medium drive D11 is detected.

However, according to this method, each time a command is transmitted / received with the drives D11 to Dn2 in each of the determination flow of the failure point (for example, in steps S12 of FIG. 4, S21, S24 of FIG. 5, and S34 of FIG. 6). Since there is a time waiting for a response from the storage medium drive, there is a fear that the determination flow of the failure point cannot be terminated within the allowable response time for the host 2.

Therefore, in the second embodiment of the library device 1 proposed below, a communication unit that communicates with each other is provided in the library controller and the drive controller, respectively, to detect the occurrence of a failure when an abnormality in communication by this communication unit occurs. The communication unit can shorten the waiting time compared to the response from the storage medium drive. Therefore, the communication unit detects the presence of a failure point between the library controller and the drive controller by the presence or absence of communication error by the communication unit. It is possible to terminate early.

Fig. 7 shows the construction of a second embodiment of a library device according to the present invention.

As shown in the drawing, the first library controller Lct1 includes a library controller side communication unit 16 that can communicate with the drive controller side communication units 33 and 43 to 53 provided in the drive controllers Dct1 and Dct2 to Dctn, respectively. .

Communication between the library controller side communication unit 16 and the drive controller side communication unit 33 is performed through the library controller side first port 14, the first drive command path P1, and the drive controller side first port 31. Or through the library controller-side second port 15, the second drive command path P2, and the drive controller-side second port 32, for example, to each of the subordinate drives of the drive controllers Dct1, Dct2 to Dctn. Inquiries and replies of information such as connection or power-on related are transmitted and received at predetermined time intervals (for example, once / 11 msec).

Similarly, the second library controller Lct2 includes a library controller side communication unit 26 that can communicate with the drive controller side communication units 33 and 43 to 53 provided in the drive controllers Dct1 and Dct2 to Dctn, respectively.

8-11 is a flowchart of the fault location detection operation by the library device 1 shown in FIG.

In step S41 of FIG. 8, the library controller Lct1 determines whether the communication unit 33 of the drive controller Dct1 controlling the communication unit 16 and the specific storage medium drive (for example, D11) can communicate. do.

As a result, when the communication unit 16 and the communication unit 33 cannot communicate, the library controller Lct1 is the Lct1 itself, the library controller side first port 14, the first drive command path P1, and the drive controller. It is determined that a failure has occurred in either (Dct1) or the first port 31 on the drive controller side, and the process proceeds to the routine S42 shown in FIG.

On the other hand, if the communication unit 16 and the communication unit 33 can communicate as a result of the determination in step S41, in step S43, the library controller Lct1 sends and receives commands to and from the drive D11 and responds within a predetermined time. If this is returned, it is determined that there is no abnormality in step S44, and the processing ends.

On the contrary, when the response does not return, it is determined in step S45 that a failure occurs in the drive D11, and the use of the drive D11 is prohibited until the replacement and repair is performed in step S46, and the processing ends.

In step S41, when communication between the communication unit 16 and the communication unit 33 is not possible, the process proceeds to the routine S42 shown in FIG. In step S51 of FIG. 9, the library controller Lct1 communicates with each of the other drive controllers Dct2 to Dctn via the communication unit 16 and the first drive command path P1 which is a drive command path currently in use. 53) Try to contact any one of them.

As a result, if communication between the communication unit 16 and the communication units 43 to 53 is possible, the library controller Lct1 determines that a failure has occurred in either the drive controller Dct1 or the drive controller side first port 31. And the process proceeds to the routine S52 shown in FIG.

On the contrary, if the communication unit 16 cannot communicate with all of the communication units 43 to 53, the library controller Lct1 is any one of the Lct1 itself, the first port 14 on the library controller side, and the first drive command path P1. It is determined that a failure has occurred, and the process proceeds to the routine S53 shown in FIG.

As a result of the determination by step S51, when the processing moves to the routine S52 shown in FIG. 10, in step S61, the library controller Lct1 communicates with the communication unit 16 through its pending second drive command pass P2. Communication with the communication unit 33 of the drive controller Dct1 controlling the drive D11 is attempted.

If communication between the communication unit 16 and the communication unit 33 is possible through the second drive command path P2, the library controller Lct1 determines that the first port 31 of the drive controller side is broken in step S62, and step S63. The operation of the library device 1 is continued by switching the second drive command path P2 to the operating state and the first drive command path P1 to the standby state.

If the communication unit 16 cannot communicate with the communication unit 33 via the second drive command path P2, the library controller Lct1 determines that the first drive controller Dct1 has failed in step S64, and in step S65. The use of the drives D11 and D12 subordinate to the first drive controller Dct1 is subsequently prohibited until the replacement and repair of the first drive controller Dct1 is performed.

As a result of the determination by step S51 in FIG. 9, when the processing moves to the routine S53 shown in FIG. 11, in step S71, the library controller Lct1 is in the second standby state 15 in the current standby state on the library controller Lct1 side. It is determined whether or not the ones already in the fault state are recorded.

If the second port 15 is already in a failure state, the library controller Lct1 determines that the failure is itself in step S72, and puts the library controller Lct1 in the standby state in step S73, and operates the library controller Lct2 in the operation state. After that, the operation of the library device 1 is continued using the library controller Lct2. The method of switching the used system from the library controller Lct1 to the library controller Lct2 may be the same as that of the first embodiment of the library device 1 shown in FIG.

If it is determined in step S71 that the second port 15 of the first library controller Lct1 is not a malfunction, the first library controller Lct1 is connected to the other second library controller Lct2 in step S74. The communication unit 26 inquires whether any one of the communication units 33 to 53 of the drive controllers Dct1 to Dctn can communicate with the library controller via the communication line 3 via the first drive command path P1. .

As a result, when the communication unit 26 of the other second library controller Lct2 cannot transmit / receive commands with all of the communication units 33 to 53 of the drive controllers Dct1 to Dctn, the control unit proceeds to step S75. It is determined that the first drive command path P1 has failed, and the drive command path used in step S78 is switched from the current first drive command path P1 to the waiting second drive command path P2 to end the process.

At this time, for example, communication with the communication unit 33 of the drive controller Dct1 is possible, but when communication with the communication units 43 to 53 of the drive controllers Dct2 to Dctn cannot be performed, the drive controller Dct1 and the drive are performed. The inter-Dct connection drive command paths PD1 and PD2 connecting between the controllers Dct2 may be broken. In this case, the inter-Dct connected drive command path (PD1 or PD2) by confirming that communication with the communication units 43 to 53 of the drive controllers Dct2 to Dctn is restored by switching the drive command path to the waiting drive command path. May be detected.

On the other hand, in step S74, when the communication unit 26 of the other second library controller Lct2 is capable of transmitting / receiving commands with any one of the communication units 33 to 53 of the drive controllers Dct1 to Dctn. In step S76, it is determined that the first port 14 of the first library controller Lct1 is broken. In step S77, the memory unit 11 records that the first port 14 is broken. The process ends by switching from the current first drive command path P1 to the waiting second drive command path P2.

As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated in detail with reference to the preferable embodiment especially, the specific form of this invention is appended below for the easy understanding of this invention.

(Book 1)

A library controller for controlling the whole in accordance with a control command from a host, at least one drive controller for controlling a dependent storage medium drive device in accordance with a control command from the library controller, the library controller and the drive controller are connected In a library device with a drive command path,

And a library controller side port connected to said library controller, said drive command path and said drive command path is configured to be redundant.

(Supplementary Note 2)

The drive command path is duplicated by being composed of a first drive command path and a second drive command path,

The library controller side port is redundant by being composed of a library controller side first port and a library controller side second port provided for each of the redundant library controllers,

The library device according to Appendix 1, wherein the library controller side first port and the library controller side second port are connected to the first drive command path and the second drive command path, respectively.

(Supplementary Note 3)

The library device according to Appendix 2, comprising a failure location determination unit that determines a failure location of at least one of the library controller, the drive command path, and the library controller side ports.

(Appendix 4)

The drive controller side port connected to the drive command path is redundant by being composed of a drive controller side first port and a library controller side second port provided for each of the at least one drive controller,

The drive controller side first port of each drive controller is connected in parallel to the first drive command path, and the drive controller side second port is connected in parallel to the second drive command path. The library device described in.

(Appendix 5)

A failure point determination unit for determining a failure point occurring in at least one of the library controller, the drive controller, the drive command path, the library controller side port, and the drive controller side port is provided in Appendix 4 One library device.

(Supplementary Note 6)

The library controller and the drive controller are each provided with a communication unit for communicating with each other through the drive command path,

The library device according to Appendix 3 or Appendix 5, wherein the failure point determination unit detects occurrence of the failure when an abnormality in communication by the communication unit occurs.

(Industrial availability)

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be used for a library device that reads or writes data recorded on a recording medium such as a magnetic tape, a magnetic disk or a magneto-optical disk.

According to the library device according to the present invention, it is possible to continue the operation of the entire library device when a failure occurs in a part of the elements constituting the library device.

In addition, it is possible to specify a failure point generated in a part of it. Thereby, it becomes possible to prevent the parts replacement of the non-failure location which occurred conventionally.

Claims (5)

A library controller for controlling the whole in accordance with a control command from a host, at least one drive controller for controlling a dependent storage medium drive device in accordance with a control command from the library controller, the library controller and the drive controller are connected In a library device including a drive command path, And a library controller side port connected to said library controller, said drive command path and said drive command path is configured to be redundant. The method of claim 1, wherein the drive command path is redundant by being composed of a first drive command path and a second drive command path, The library controller side port is redundant by being composed of a library controller side first port and a library controller side second port provided for each of the redundant library controllers, And the library controller side first port and the library controller side second port are connected to the first drive command path and the second drive command path, respectively. The library device according to claim 2, further comprising a failure location determination unit for determining a failure location occurring in at least one of the library controller, the drive command path, and the library controller side ports. The drive controller side port connected to the drive command path is redundant by being composed of a drive controller side first port and a library controller side second port provided for each of the at least one drive controller. And the drive controller side first port of each drive controller is connected in parallel to the first drive command path and the drive controller side second port is connected in parallel to the second drive command path. According to claim 3 or 5, wherein the library controller and the drive controller includes a communication unit for communicating with each other via the drive command path, respectively, The failure point determination unit detects occurrence of the failure when an abnormality in communication by the communication unit occurs.

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